Low-Cost Cremation

The disposition of a departed person could be the last thing his family would spend on him. Some families would give everything they have to provide a grand funeral; others prefer a simple, private ceremony for their deceased loved one that’s exclusive only for family and close friends.

Either way, both plans involve finance issues that need to be addressed by the family members left behind.

Over the years, the rates of people choosing cremation have doubled up. It is no longer seen as an alternative to a traditional funeral. A reason why it’s popularity may be soaring is because of its cost.

Direct Cremation

This is the most basic and least expensive type of service, sometimes referred to as simple cremation or immediate cremation.

A direct cremation is a low-cost service for those looking for a very simple and modest funeral. It’s the cheapest cremation option.

If you’re not looking to plan an elaborate funeral, direct cremation might be the right solution for you.

With direct cremation, there’s no embalming process, formal viewing of the deceased body or funeral service. It only includes the necessary and minimal procedures: picking up the dead body, completing the required paperwork, the cremation itself and providing the ashes to the family. As simple as the body being cremated, and the cremated remains are returned to the family without a funeral, graveside, or memorial service.

Cremation with Memorial Service

A memorial service, if the family desired, which can include from a small to a broad range of options and can take place in private homes, rented buildings, places of worship, or outdoors. The family members could still adjust depending on the money they have allotted for the funeral.

Choosing of Urns

Urn prices vary widely based on design and more, but if you let your funeral service pick one out for you, you should expect to pay more. There’s no rule against buying an urn from a store for a much cheaper container for the ashes of your loved one. There’s no requirement in what your urn should be like, as long as it would be taken care of and is in a proper manner, and some even opt for a cookie jar or just a plain black box with the ashes inside tied up in plastic.

No Cost Cremation

For a completely free cremation, another option to consider is to donate the body to a university-affiliated medical school. After using the body for research, they will cremate the remains for free, and they either bury or scatter the ashes in a local cemetery or return them to its respected family, usually within a year or two. There are several organizations around the country and resources available online to facilitate this, potentially saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If you’re going to ask if you’re eligible to donate your body to science, most people are eligible for body donation, regardless of age or medical conditions at death. However, there are exceptions. If the person has or had a communicable disease such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and/or tuberculosis, severe obesity, edema (fluid swelling) or if the body has experienced decomposition or trauma, that body will not be eligible for donation.

If you want to look for a particular facility and need help locating one, cremation.com is a site that allows you to search by state.

For more details regarding low-cost to free cremations, you can go to this site to read more about these options.

Preplanning the Cremation

When it comes to business¹ of death, comparison shopping is still the best way to ensure you’re being taken care of. It’s a good idea to call around different funeral homes in your area to inquire about the prices of their cremation services.

Preplanning a funeral or cremation can also be an option since it will give you an idea on how much you could or should spend on your desired disposition, or how your family member wants his disposition to take place. Although uncomfortable to some just by thinking you or a member of your family will pass away, at least in this way you can estimate and set aside the money reserved for the cremation. It gives you more control and peace of mind, as well.

Michael Johnston

I am a licensed funeral director and the owner of Beloved Cremations. My cremation center is licensed and certified to operate in Los Angeles, California as well as other nearby cities. I also write articles here and in other sites to help readers like you to navigate funeral and cremation process the easiest way possible. If you have general question or inquiry about our cremation services, just call us anytime.